Push to stamp out Taipei’s booming sex industryxo

By Lawrence Chung, The Straits Times, 14 December 2000

TAIPEI—City authorities here have embarked on a campaign to
clean up the city’s sex industry and to rid the capital’s
residential area of its share of brothels.

But even the vice-mayor is worried that however well-planned the sweep
might be—it includes regular searches and round-ups as well as
pressure tactics like cutting of water and power supplies—it
might not be able to eradicate the illegal sex trade in the city.

City authorities said the latest drive had so far forced 77 out of 79
concerns suspected of running illegal sex activities out of
residential areas to close their operations or revert to their
previous legal business.

Mr Ou Chin-der, the vice-mayor, acknowledged that the number of
illegal sex operators in residential areas could be higher than 79. He
said the city government would continue its crackdown to make sure the
sweep was thorough.

‘If we slacken, the busted ones are likely to make a
return,’ he said.

The city currently has more than 1,000 bars, clubs, dance halls and
massage parlours, most of which are suspected of providing illegal sex
services.

Previously, the city limited legal prostitution to a number of sex
workers who plied their trade under the protection of an old decree
enacted in the 50s.

But two years ago, the authorities decided to end the trade and
revoked licences issued to 133 prostitutes. The decision drew sharp
protests from the licensed prostitutes, some of whom attempted
suicide, thus forcing the city to delay the ban until next year.

During this period, the city’s authorities tried to help the
legal sex workers change jobs, but achieved little success.

Of the 133, 52 had accepted the city government’s help in
changing jobs, but some were later suspected of having gone back to
their old trade, this time going underground.

Many of those who fell back on prostitution were not able to find a
proper job because of their old age and poor education, city
councillor Lee Chien-chang said.

‘Among those who had taken low-paid factory jobs, some went back
to their old ways after their factories closed down,’ he added.

Sociologists said it would be difficult to eradicate the illegal sex
trade as there would always be a demand.

The rapid change in moral standards in a fast developing,
materialistic society was another key factor fuelling growth of the
sex industry, social worker Ms Chou Chia-chun said.

‘Today, even school girls have put their nude pictures on
Internet web sites to peddle their sex services. Just look at their
obsession with money and you can understand why many women nowadays do
not think prostitution is a shameful trade,’ she said.

A woman recently caught for performing an erotic dance during which
she allowed customers to touch her body, said she believed money was
everything in this world.

‘I don’t lose an inch of my flesh by being caressed by my
clients,’ she said.

Ms Chou said that the government should work out a set of tough
regulations to control and keep track of the sex business.